‘My Bionic Pet’ Looks at Prosthetic Limbs for Animals

Relationships between humans and their pets have changed drastically over time. Today people routinely spend thousands of dollars on medical procedures for sick and injured animals that more likely would have been euthanized or “put to sleep” years ago.

“My Bionic Pet,” a coming show in the PBS Nature series, looks at the growing trend toward fitting physically disabled animals with prosthetic limbs that allow them to get around more independently.

Animals featured in the show have lost legs, fins, flippers, beaks, or tails because of disease, accidents, or human cruelty. Modern technology and engineering have helped scientists develop prosthetics that function well enough to let animals resume almost-normal lives.